Indicator for thermostats.



l. H. SWAN.

INDICATOR FOR THERMOSTATS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6. I915.

Patented June 18 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. H. SWAN.

INDICATOR FOR THERMOSTATS. APPLICATION man ate. 6. 1915.

I. H. SWAN.

INDICATOR FOR THERMOSTATS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-6.1915.

Lfifi yfigm Patented June 18, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- e &W

JUHN E. SW, 10F T'UMGQ, TLLQIS, ASSIGNOE, T0 KLIZPFJEL 1W! 1..

or omen, rttrn'ors, a co 1- onnrron' or trainers.

accents.

- mostats, of which the following is a specifi cation.

This invention relates to improvements 1n combined thermostats and indicator constructions for temperature regulating systerns.

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved instrument of this class in one unitary structure, including thermostatically controlled means for controllin the operation of distant valves in heatlng systems, etc., and an indicating device for indicating the condition of the said distant valves; and to provide an indicator of this nature having operating connections which may be me,- chanically independent of the thermostat mechanism but operated by variations in pressure therein.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the improved device in front elevation with the casin removed.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the casing shown by dotted hill Fig. 3 shows the device in front elevation with the wall plate and thermostatic lamina omitted and the indicator in a section.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. 3., p

Fig. 5 is a plan view;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the. line 0 C of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line ]DD of Fig. 3. y Y

The device shown in the drawings is'of that general class of thermostats employed for controlling the operationof pressureactuated valves or dampers in heating systems, although such devices areadapted for perfog other than this particular class of work, forexample, the controlling of humidifying apparatus, in which case a hydrometric element "substituted for the thermostatic lamina here shown...

Tn the example hown in the drawings, the device is furnished with conduits, one of roa'ron roa rnnnno's'ra'rs.

hpeotflcatton of Letters Patent.

ating motor in the heating system. The

valve in the thermostat for regulating the flow of air from one conduit to another is directly controlled by a small pressure operated diaphragm, the actuation of which is in turn controlled according to temperature changes by a thermostatic laminawhich opens and closes a port leading tb"a chamber at the rear of said diaphragm. A valve operating mechanism of this nature is shown and described in 'appli'cants Patent No. 1,157,059, dated Uctober 19,1915." 4 i n'rnorunoj we Patented June is, for. application filed December 6, 1915. serial No. 65,379.

The purpose of the present invention is mainly to provide improved indicating mechanism for devices of the same general class described in the above mentioned pattent. The indicator serves to'idisclose without a close examination of the device,

whether the valves of the heating system are" open or closed.

In some arrangements now in use, indicators are operated directly by the valve op erating levers of thermostats but are unsatisfactory, since they depend for operation on this lever, and indicate according to its po sition, even if the valves of the thermostat are not operating correctly. The present in-- dicator moves to one position or another 210- cording to. the pressure existing in the con-' 'duits leading to the valve operating meters of the heating system.

Referring to the drawings, the device includes a wall' plate 1 which is usually def pressed inthe plaster of the wall on which the device-is supported. The frame 4 of the strap 3 encircles frame member 4: without necessarily engaging the same, but in position to prevent lateral displacement thereof.

This strap is secured to wall plate 1 by the screws 5. i i r The frame 4 is providedwith a pair of channels 6 and 7 communicating with ports 8 and 9 leading rearwardly from] the up- '16 and 17 is regulated, or completely prevented when the frame 4 is removed from wall plate 1, by small conical restriction plugs 20 and 21 threaded into the passages 18 and 19 andadapted to seat in the restricted parts 22 of said passages. These plugs are slotted, as shown, to provide a passage for air from the channels 6 and 7 to the passages 18 and 19. By this arrangement, air may pass into channels 6 from conduit 16' through the port 8 and out of passage 7 into the conduit 17 through the port 9. The passage 6 at its lower end communicates thrdugh thedrilled holes 23, 24, 25 and 26 with I the passage 27- leading upwardly into a chamber 28 formed by a thin plate forked lever 48 pivota 29 and a flexible diaphragm 30 secured at its periphery to said plate.

The flow of air from the passage 6 to the hole 26 may be limited by a small conical.

plug 31 tapped into the hole 24, .the outer end of which is closed by screw 32. Tapped into the hole 26 (Fig. 7) is a plug 33 having a small axialpassage 34 therein andterminating'in aseat 35 for a resilient valve 36 carried by a. responsive element or thermostatic lamina 37 and faced with a disk or plate 38 ofsuitable material for preventing the escape of any air through passage 34 when-the resilient member 36 rests on the valve seat 35. A by-path 39, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, may conduct air from the hole or passage 24 .to a hole drilled into the lower' end of frame or casting 4. The hole 40 communicates with the outer atmosphere through an axial assage 41 in a plug 42 threaded into said ole and also through a restricted passage 43, shown in Fig. 6, communicates with the assage 7.

A valve 44 carried by a stem 45 is shiftable withinthe hole 40 for closing communication between the latter and either the outer atmosphere through passage 41, or the channel 7 throu h the passage 43. At its outer end the va ve stem 41 carries a grooved collar 46 engaged by Ipins 47 carried by a y mounted by a in 49 between lugs 50 extending outwar y from frame 4. Lever 48 is provided with. a small transverse hole 51 and 'longitu, dinal grooves 52 at its sides for receiving a U-shaped spring wire 53. The freeouter ends of this wire engage a small cam 54 secured by a stem 55 to diaphragm 30 at the central point thereof. The cam 54 is largest at its central ortion, being tapered between its ends and t iereby serving to rock lever 48 in either direction through engage- ,ment with the free ends of spring 53.

The passages 6 and 7 which may be cored into the casting of frame 4 are closed at their u per ends respectively, by screws 56 and 57 The screw 57 is hollow, providing a way in which an indicator plunger operator 58 is-slidable. The size of the plunger 58 is preferably reduced at its lower end 59 to provide a shoulder 60 for resting on shoulder 61 of screw 57, thus preventing the plunger from dropping into the passage 7 when the device is assembled. At its lower end the screw 57 is provided with a seat 62 for a stopper 63 carried at the lower end of plunger 58. Air may normally pass between the channel 7 and conduit 17 in either direction through the port 9, the lower end of screw 57 being reduced in diameter so as not to interfere with the flow of air. Upon any increase in pressure in channel 7, the plunger 58 is forced upwardly, stopper 63 engaging the seat 62 and thereby preventing any possible leakage of air around plunger 58. At its u per end the plunger 58 carries a wire 64 tted in a hole in the head of said plunger and having its free end extendingloosely into ahole 65 in a hollow indicator drum 66. The indicator drum is ,pivotally mounted by pins 67 on a a bracket 68 supported on frame 4 by screw 69. The indicator is oscillated in its bearings according to motions of plunger 58 upon an increase or decrease of pressure in channel 7. It is referably hexagonal, as shown, two'of its dices being provided with the words closed and open, as appears in Fig. 1. I

The bracket 68 is provided at its lower end with a boss 70 through which is threaded an adjustin screw 71 for the lamina 37. By means of t is screw the lamina which is supported at its upper end between the bracket 68 and frame 4 ma be tensioned more or less,'or moved towar or awa from the valve seat 35. Then when the lamina is distorted by changes of temperature, it will move away from or'engage the seat 35 at the temperature to which it is responsive according to its angular seating, as determined by screw 71. The screw 71 carries fast a knurled head 72 by which it may be operated, and also a disk 73 bearing'numbars which may register with a sight opening 74 in the casing 75. A sight opening 76 is also provided in casing 75 opposite the indicator 66.

In the operation of the device, a certain predetermined pressure is normally maintained in conduit 16 by the air com ressor. There is a normal flow of air from t is conduit through the po t 8 into .the channel 6 from whence it passes through the holes 23,

ing'that the heatin flui' is passing through naeegaa 24, 25 and 26 to the passage 34 leading to the outer atmosphere. The valve 36, carried by the lamina 37, is normally disengaged from the seat 35 when the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere is below some. redetermined maximum. -lUnder these c1rcumstances it is impossible for sufficient pressure to build u in the chamber 29 and force the diap ragm 30 outwardly, since the air may escape through passage 34. Lever 48 is also normally in the position shown in Fig. 7, permitting atmospheric pressure in conduit 17, since this conduit at such times communicates with the outer atmosphere through the port 9, channel 7 and passages 43, and 41.

With the normal atmospheric pressure in channel 7 the plunger 58 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, to which it falls by gravity, the indicator being maintained in position to indicate the word 0 en, thus designatthe radiators. en the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere uses to the point suficient to cause lamina 37 to seat valve 36, air cannot escape through passage 34 and therefore flows from channel 6 through the holes 23, 24, 25 and 26 into the passage 27 leading to the chamber 28. The pressure therefore builds up behind diaphragm 30, forcing the same outwardly, thus causing cam 54 to engage the ends of the U-shaped wire 53 spreading the arms of the Wire apart until they pass the ridge of the cam. The inward pressure of the ends of spring 53 then cause the same to ride down the inner inclined surface of cam 54, 'rockmg the lower end of lever 48 outwardly causing the valve 44 to become unseated from aperture 39 and to close the communi.-- cation between hole .40 and passage 41. Air under pressure may then pass from channel 6 through passages 23 and 24 and by-path 39 and passaes 40 and 43 into the passage 7 and out port 9 into conduits 17. The pressure is thus permitted to increase in passage 7 and in conduit 17, resulting in forcing the indicator operator plunger 58 upwardly, and operating the valve controlling motors of the heating'system to shut ed the steam from the radiators. The u ward movement of plunger 58 causes indicator 36 to indicate the -word lib position causes lever 48 to be restored to the I normal position, as shown in Fig. 7, thus closing port 39 and permitting air to escape from passage 7 through the passaes 43, 40 and 41. B this means the pressure in conduit 17 fal s to normal, permitting the diaphras of the valve operating motorsto return to normal position and thus again allow the steam to flow into the" radiators. Also this decrease in pressure in channel 7 permits the plunger 58 to fall to normal position and rock; the indicator to indicate the word open.

From the foregoing it may be seen that the invention provides an improved unitary structure for both controlling the operation of distance valve, dampers, etc., and indicatin the condition of such distant devices.

Alt ough but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departin from the spirit oil this invention as at bythe following claim- I claim:-

A thermostatic valve mechanism, eomindicator comprising a d journaledonsaid frame and connected to said pressure.

' OPBIMJ'BIl an we 1mg, 2 I ied at Chicago this 24thidlay cl Nora, 

